The St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation (SPCDC) Emergency Men’s Shelter provides emergency housing, clothing, and food to as many as 40 men experiencing homelessness each night in Paterson, NJ. The Shelter staff work to make each resident's stay as brief and helpful as possible by providing referrals for housing, employment, mental health and rehabilitation services. The SPCDC Emergency Men’s Shelter relies on volunteer support from nearly 30 area churches and civic organizations. Together, these organizations provide more than 50 volunteers each year who bring prepared food and serve hot meals each night.

​​

What?

Volunteers from St. Elizabeth’s prepare and serve dinner for 35 men experiencing homelessness at the SPCDC Emergency Men’s Shelter in Paterson.

​

When?

Volunteers serve dinner on the third Monday of every month.

​

Why?

These men are working to rebuild their lives and rely on donated meals. This is a great opportunity for teens, families, confirmands, sponsors, and friends to get involved.

​​​

​

​

​

More about the SPCDC Emergency Men's Shelter:

During the intake process, the shelter case manager explains the programs to the client and conducts a comprehensive assessment of the client’s immediate needs beyond emergency overnight shelter. The case manager and the client then work together to develop a service plan to address those needs, often involving referrals to programs that address financial, mental health, housing, medical, and legal needs.

​

As a condition of staying at the facility, all residents must participate in day programs to help them address substance-use issues, pursue educational opportunities, and/or find employment.

​

After four weeks, a comprehensive reassessment of the resident’s progress and case file is conducted. If the resident has been actively working toward their goals and needs more time at the shelter, an extension will be granted.

When residents are discharged from the shelter, they receive instructions and referrals designed to help them address their challenges and continue on a path toward recovery and stability. Many residents eventually are able to find a rental apartment, secure new employment, or move in with family and friends.

 

The ultimate goal of the SPCDC Emergency Men’s Shelter is to work with clients to identify and address the root causes of their homelessness. Through collaboration, we give our residents a sense of control over their own futures and consequently make them more likely to take responsibility for their own goals.

In 2021, the SPCDC Emergency Men’s Shelter served 68 men, providing 8,810 sheltered bed nights, more than 21,000 meals, and more than 3,000 hours of counseling.